Label & Place with Artesprix Maple Key Chains for Thanksgiving
Artesprix LLCFavorites, Key Chain, Markers
Label & Place Artesprix Maple Keychains for Thanksgiving with Iron-on-Ink!
These DIY key chain napkin rings are a fun way to add a splash of color to your place settings. Not only do they help with your seating chart but everyone will love having this cute keepsake to take home.
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it's never too early to start planning. You have to put together a menu, get the Thanksgiving decor out of storage and of course, invite your guests.
Depending on how many people are coming, you may also want to have a seating chart. This year, instead of just setting out place cards, why not take it up a notch with a fun craft!
That's my plan and this year I'm making DIY key chains that double as place settings. You may even be able to attach them to your napkin rings, depending on the type you use. All you need are Artesprix Sublimation Markers and Key Chain Blanks and you're ready to get crafty.
What Are Artesprix Sublimation Markers?
Artesprix Sublimation Markers are one of the best ways to get creative because there are so many different things you can do with them. I've made everything from tote bags and coasters to bookmarks and makeup bags. They work great on fabrics so you can even make matching t-shirts for the family. Though polyester works best, there are ways around that if you're working with other fabrics.
With Artesprix markers, you just draw your designs on regular paper, then easily transfer them to blanks using a heat source. It's a simple process and the perfect way to express your creativity!
DIY Key Chains For Thanksgiving!
I love this craft idea because it's perfect for beginners and experts alike. That's because when you're working with Artesprix Markers, you get to decide how simple or complex your design will be.
I chose simple designs for these key chains but because they're double sided, I'll be decorating both the fronts and the backs.
Ready to make some fun designs of your own? Here's what you'll need...
Materials
Tools
Step by Step Instructions:
Step 1. Begin by tracing the key chain on standard copy paper. Trace one square for each key chain you'll be making. This will show you the size of the area you're working with because anything you color outside of that area won't transfer.
Step 2. Next, find a design that you like. Since these were going to be for our Thanksgiving place settings, a pumpkin seemed perfect. You can print one off the computer or draw your own freehand.
Step 3. Turn on your Light Box and place your pumpkin image on top. With the penciled squares face down, place the squares over the pumpkin one at a time and trace with a black Artesprix marker.
If you have the box of black Artesprix markers, I recommend using the fine tip marker. However, the markers in the 10 pack are all chisel tipped so they work great for both fine lines and thick lines.
Step 4. The next step is to draw or print the names you'll be using onto a piece of paper. Long names don't fit as well so I used my daughter's nicknames for this part, Ash for Ashling and Kiki for Keira.
Step 5. Repeat the previous steps you followed with the first designs. Trace four squares, flip the paper over, then trace the names. Be sure you're tracing a mirrored image or when you transfer the design onto the blank, the names will be backwards.
Step 6. Once you've traced all your designs, it's time for the fun part...coloring them! I added a yellow background to the pumpkins so they'd stand out and be more colorful and fun. Don't worry if your colors look a little muted...that all changes when you add the heat.
Normally it's against all the rules of coloring to go outside of the lines...just ask my daughters! However, when creating Artesprix projects like this, it's actually recommended. That way you won't end up with any blank spaces around the edges of your finished designs.
Once you've colored everything, you're ready to move on to the next step.
Step 7. Preheat your heat press to 400° (or if using an iron, turn it up to the highest setting).
Step 8. While you're waiting, cut the designs apart. Be sure to leave space around the edges for the tape. Lay your designs on the workspace, ink side up. Now place your key chain blanks on top of the ink and secure with Artesprix Heat Tape.
9. In order to keep your ink from transferring to your heat source, you'll want to use Artesprix Protective Paper. This protects the surface of your heat source so that you won't end up with extra unwanted color on your next craft.
10. Once your heat press has reached 400°, it's time to make what we call a sublimation sandwich. Tear off two pieces of protective paper. Lay one on the heat press, place the key chains on top with the ink side facing up, then add another layer of protective paper on top. The protective paper on the top and bottom is your "bread" and the bookmark is the "meat" of the sandwich.
11. Heat the key chains for 60 seconds, then carefully remove them from the heat press. Place them on an Artesprix Protective Project Mat to cool so that the heat doesn't damage your workspace.
12. After letting your key chains cool for a few minutes, it's time to peel away the paper to reveal your creation.
13. This is my absolute favorite part because I love seeing how bright and vivid the colors become after heat is added! Time for the Big Reveal!
14. Now repeat the process with the other side. Use heat tape to attach the remaining designs to the flip side.
15. Create another sublimation sandwich and heat key chains for 60 seconds. Let cool on the protective mat, then peel back to reveal the design. Like before, our colors really pop and the contrast between the orange and yellow looks amazing!
16. Add the loop to your key chain using the plastic pieces that come with it. Depending on the type of napkin holder you'll be using, you can attach it to the key chain as well.
17. These DIY key chains turned out so cute that now I'm even more excited about celebrating Thanksgiving. My family is going to love these!
My Artesprix Sublimation Markers made this project so easy and will add the perfect splash of color to our table settings. Plus, how often can you say that your Thanksgiving dinner came with a souvenir!
These DIY key chain napkin rings were the perfect Thanksgiving craft and now I'm already planning my next project. Be sure to check back to see what's in store next!
3 comments
Oh, these projects are so cute! I love them. Great idea!
These are so cute!
These are fun!